Idus Lewis Stockton

LCDR Idus Lewis Stockton, United States Navy Retired, passed away on Thursday, November 15, 2001 at the Cleveland Area Hospital at the age of sixty-eight years, seven months and nine days.

Idus was born April 6, 1933 in Quinton, Oklahoma, He was the son of Idus Patton and Dale C. Stockton. Idus was raised in the Quinton area and attended school in Quinton and Savanna, completing his education in Savanna.

Shortly after completion of his schooling, Idus enlisted into the service of his country in the United States Navy. Idus attended Naval Basic Training at NTS San Diego. Upon completion of boot camp, he was married to Eunice Marie Johnston on December 27, 1951 in Savanna, Oklahoma.

Idus served as an aviation electronics specialist during his career advancing to the rate of Chief Petty Officer. During his enlisted career, Idus served three tours in Vietnam and accumulated a significant number of flight hours in the Lockheed L1049, Super Constellation. He additionally was assigned for several years at NAS Whidbey Island. In 1965, Idus was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy where he was assigned to Naval Air Station, Oceana, Virginia. He served ten years as an officer, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander in 1975.

Upon his retirement, Idus attended the University of Oklahoma where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree, majoring in social studies education. He conducted his student teaching in Noble, Oklahoma and then taught one semester at Capital Hill in Oklahoma City before moving to Cleveland. He and his wife, Marie moved to Cleveland with their two youngest children, Deann and Allan in 1979 when Idus accepted employment with Cleveland Public Schools as a Geography teacher and coach. During his tenure in Cleveland, Idus served as the head coach for the girlís high school and junior high school basketball teams and as the boyís junior high school basketball and track coach. Idus was preceded in death by his wife, Marie on September 25, 1987.

Idus was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cleveland. He was also a member of the Retired Officer's Association. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and was an avid reader. Additionally, he was an actively involved tracing the genealogy of his family.

He is survived by four sons, Michael Idus Stockton, Portsmouth, Virginia; Ivan Lewis Stockton, Spring, Texas; Richard Verlan Stockton, Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Allan Lewis Stockton, Akiachak, Alaska; two daughters, Donna Marie Singer, Arlington, Texas; and Deann Marie Gattis, Norman, Oklahoma; fourteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, three brothers, Roy J. Stockton, Quinton, Oklahoma; Everett Lee Stockton, Bethany, Oklahoma; and Sherman Laranze Stockton, Quinton, Oklahoma; two sisters, Shirley Ann Dill, Amarillo, Texas; and Dora Jane Wimberly, Kinta, Oklahoma. In addition to his wife, Idus was preceded in death by his parents, eight brothers and five sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, November 19, 2001 at the First Baptist Church in Cleveland, Oklahoma. Burial will be at the Savanna Cemetery in Savanna, Oklahoma under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home in Cleveland, Oklahoma.

''Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Idus Stockton at www.chapman-black.com.''